7 Tips To Maintain Your Indoor Exercise Bike

Indoor exercise bikes are one of the most popular types of home fitness equipment. They’re easy to use; you can burn a lot of calories in a short workout; they don’t take up much space; they’re budget friendly, and they’re easy to maintain. Keeping your bike in tip top shape is a great way to make it last a lifetime.

Tip #1 Clean After Use

Chances are you sweat when you work out. When you’re done exercising, wipe down the handlebars and seat with a damp cloth and dry it. This will help keep the vinyl, leather, plastic, and rubber parts clean and germ free. They’ll last longer. Use soap and water, or a diluted non-abrasive cleaning solution. Rinse to remove detergent residue and then dry completely. Leaving it damp can cause the material to crack – not comfortable when you sit down.

Tip #2 Pedals

The pedals are actually the part of your bike that will receive the worst wear and tear. It’s important to make sure that they’re in good shape. On a weekly basis check to make sure that your pedals are tight. A loose pedal can fall off when you’re working out and cause injury.

Tip #3 Your Flywheel

On a weekly basis, wipe down your flywheel. It will accumulate dust, hair, and dirt as you exercise. Wiping it down will help maintain your bike’s longevity. You can use a product like WD-40 to clean and lubricate it.

Tip #4 Check Your Brakes

Yep, your bike has a brake pad and it’s important to make sure it’s in good shape. Check for wear, dryness, and debris. You may need to occasionally lubricate the brake pad and clean it. You may also need to replace the brake pad.

Tip #5 Your Tension Belt

Your tension belt is the mechanical part that provides the resistance when you ride. The more you ride, the more wear and tear it’ll have. Examine your tension belt on a monthly basis. Make sure it isn’t frayed, cracked, or split. Also make sure that your tension belt isn’t slipping. You may need to replace the belt from time to time.

Tip #6 The Bottom Bracket

Make sure to check the bottom bracket on a monthly basis. The bottom bracket of your indoor exercise bike is what keeps it all together. If it becomes loose you’ll lose stability in the bike. You can actually crack the bracket or worse – injure yourself. Make sure the bracket is tight.

Tip #7 Positioning

Over time your bike seat and handlebars may shift. Proper positioning and alignment ensure you receive the best workout. If your seat is too low you can suffer knee and hip pain. If your handlebars are too close or too far away you can suffer back pain. Regularly check to make sure your seat is in the correct place. This is particularly important if more than one person is using the bike. Consider using a marker to note where your seat position should be.

Finally, if you hear any unusual noises, make sure to stop and check your bike immediately. Proper maintenance of your indoor exercise bike is simple and an essential step to ensure it lasts as long as you need it to.